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Monday, May 26, 2014

Another year passes, Illinois House meets once again on Memorial Day

SPRINGFIELD - On Memorial Day 2013, State Rep. Jeanne Ives - a West Point graduate and former officer in the U.S. Army - voiced dismay in a op-ed published on Illinois Review. It was her opinion that members of the General Assembly should be home in their districts, honoring fallen veterans at their communities' numerous scheduled memorials. Instead, she would be in session at the state capitol.

Last week, Rep. Ives proposed a resolution calling on the Illinois House to do just that on Memorial Day 2014 and 41 members of the House from both sides of the aisle signed on in support of the legislation. But the proposal was never allowed to move to committee and Ives' idea was soundly rejected by Democrat leader House Speaker Mike Madigan.

The Illinois House will convene at 1:00 PM on Memorial Day 2014, the Senate at 3:00 PM. From Rep. Ives' 2013 op-ed:

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Freedom and Liberty. Mere words cannot depict the enormity of their sacrifice or the anguish of the loved ones they left behind. Memorial Day is also a day to remember and pray for our troops who currently stand in harm’s way. And to pray for their families and loved one as they endure the hardship and uncertainty of deployment.

To me, Memorial Day is more than just marching bands and political speeches. It is a day that recognizes how enormously indebted we are to those who have laid down their lives to ensure our that we could live in a country in which we are able to enjoy the Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, the right to vote for our elected leaders, and the many other liberties with which we are blessed. Today, I should be in my district at one of the many ceremonies held in honor of our fallen heroes. My responsibilities as State Representative dictate instead that I must be present when the House is in session today.

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SPRINGFIELD - On Memorial Day 2013, State Rep. Jeanne Ives - a West Point graduate and former officer in the U.S. Army - voiced dismay in a op-ed published on Illinois Review. It was her opinion that members of the General Assembly should be home in their districts, honoring fallen veterans at their communities' numerous scheduled memorials. Instead, she would be in session at the state capitol.

Last week, Rep. Ives proposed a resolution calling on the Illinois House to do just that on Memorial Day 2014 and 41 members of the House from both sides of the aisle signed on in support of the legislation. But the proposal was never allowed to move to committee and Ives' idea was soundly rejected by Democrat leader House Speaker Mike Madigan.

The Illinois House will convene at 1:00 PM on Memorial Day 2014, the Senate at 3:00 PM. From Rep. Ives' 2013 op-ed: